Callan

The Sisters of Mercy came to Callan from Athy in December 1872, at the invitation of the Bishop of Ossary, Dr. Patrick Moran. Mother Michael Maher was the Foundress and six Sisters accompanied her also from Athy. They took up residence in Callan Lodge, which was later named St. Mary’s Convent.

In those days, like most other towns in Ireland, Callan was a poverty stricken town and the work of the Sisters was to care for the poor, the sick and the uneducated. They also gave religious instruction to both adults and children. They were referred to as “Ministering Angels”.

Canice Broderick and Nora Costigan with John the gardener,  engaged in composting in the convent in Callan

The main work of the Sisters was the education of girls and they set up schools, which have continued to flourish to this day. In 1884 they also established what was referred to as a Missionary School, where many young women attend a preliminary novitiate for religious life. In its 70 odd years of existence of the 2000 that attended the vast majority entered Orders working on the foreign missions.

Today Sisters are still involved in education as well as visiting the sick of the area and working in the parish.